News

Big public boost for firefighter petition

FIREFIGHTERS have added over 2,000 names to their petition to save Hereford's two full time fire appliances.

Driving rain didn't deter public support for the campaign when it came to High Town, Hereford, on Saturday.

A previous petition in High Town attracted over 1,000 names in six hours.

The crews are calling for a referendum on whether one full-time appliance on 24/7 emergency standby at Hereford fire station is enough.

On Saturday, they were joined by a member of their own fire authority - Herefordshire councillor Marcelle Lloyd-Hayes - who has opposed the cut from the off.

The crews want the issue of full-time cover at the station put to a public vote.

Many of those to have signed so far said they were prepared to pay more in the council tax precept raised by the fire authority to keep current 999 cover.

An even bigger majority were unaware that a public consultation exercise on the issue had been concluded by Hereford & Worcester Fore & Rescue Authority (HWFRA).

On this basis, the FBU calls the consultation process a “failure”.

The extent of proposed cuts to fire cover in the county - part of a cuts package applying across the whole HWFRA area - has been outlined previously by the Hereford Times.

As proposed, full-time 24/7 first response fire and rescue fire cover at Hereford fire station comes down to a single appliance and no more than seven fire fighters on a shift.

Those seven - presuming all are present - would be the full-time 999 response for the whole county, including the manning of specialist appliances, with Malvern as the nearest full-time back-up.

With a decision now due next month, HWFRA accepts that response times in the county will be compromised by cuts that save more than £767,000, but maintains that, with the retained crews, enough support is in place.

Comments (3)

Why do 'fire fighters' always think that they should be immune from the cuts that are facing every other public service?

They are the least busy by far of the emergency services and yet often the best paid. Keep going to the public and use the fear factor to ask them to agree to paying "a little bit more" each time. It's never going to be enough is it?

I suspect there's actually plenty that could still be cut in the FS - and if resources were better matched to the ACTUAL demand, there'd be no need to ask for extra money all the time.

These people need to get real.

Why do 'fire fighters' always think that they should be immune from the cuts that are facing every other public service?
They are the least busy by far of the emergency services and yet often the best paid. Keep going to the public and use the fear factor to ask them to agree to paying "a little bit more" each time. It's never going to be enough is it?
I suspect there's actually plenty that could still be cut in the FS - and if resources were better matched to the ACTUAL demand, there'd be no need to ask for extra money all the time.
These people need to get real.Aquarius

The government (local or national) always chipping away at services, always targeting the front line.
There'll be a few in this organisation, HWFRA, up at the top of the pile of administrators, empire building away, ENSURING the cuts and the reorganisation does not affect them personally.

The recent public consultation, on 14th May, at the fire station was staffed by around 6 beautifully turned out young men. Two were the local Herefordshire fire station managers, the other 4 were from "Planning", they told me.
Add it up yourself. 4 admin 2 managers, no front liners to let you know the real feelings of the fire crews.

Cutting these emergency services to US will be difficult for the crews to manage.
In a crisis situation, god forbid, we will find out what it really means to cut the number of engines manned and ready to help.
I've been helped myself years ago by Leominster crew, a dire situation when someone crashed into my car.
The loss of a manned engine will make a big difference to our rural county. The demands on the service are growing not getting less. We all want to drive our cars and the population is growing at a pace,especially with high immigration now.
What is the real saving? Very little I assume and the pay increases of the administration and it's growth will soon eat away at any "saving".

I say cut the administration jobs. Cut their salaries and expenses. The level of pay they enjoy as admin was driven by the wealth of our country which has been lost by banking blunders allowed to happen.
We are in a different scenario now and all yes ALL salaries, particularly in the public sector, could be reviewed and reduced to be more realistic. That's where the cuts should be, not on the emergency service set up to protect us but overall on admin and refurbishment of already fit (enough) for purpose buildings.

Signing this petition will be the next thing I do.

Cut cut cut!!!
We see it incessantly now.
The government (local or national) always chipping away at services, always targeting the front line.
There'll be a few in this organisation, HWFRA, up at the top of the pile of administrators, empire building away, ENSURING the cuts and the reorganisation does not affect them personally.
The recent public consultation, on 14th May, at the fire station was staffed by around 6 beautifully turned out young men. Two were the local Herefordshire fire station managers, the other 4 were from "Planning", they told me.
Add it up yourself. 4 admin 2 managers, no front liners to let you know the real feelings of the fire crews.
Cutting these emergency services to US will be difficult for the crews to manage.
In a crisis situation, god forbid, we will find out what it really means to cut the number of engines manned and ready to help.
I've been helped myself years ago by Leominster crew, a dire situation when someone crashed into my car.
The loss of a manned engine will make a big difference to our rural county. The demands on the service are growing not getting less. We all want to drive our cars and the population is growing at a pace,especially with high immigration now.
What is the real saving? Very little I assume and the pay increases of the administration and it's growth will soon eat away at any "saving".
I say cut the administration jobs. Cut their salaries and expenses. The level of pay they enjoy as admin was driven by the wealth of our country which has been lost by banking blunders allowed to happen.
We are in a different scenario now and all yes ALL salaries, particularly in the public sector, could be reviewed and reduced to be more realistic. That's where the cuts should be, not on the emergency service set up to protect us but overall on admin and refurbishment of already fit (enough) for purpose buildings.
Signing this petition will be the next thing I do.saidflo

Aquarius wrote:
Why do 'fire fighters' always think that they should be immune from the cuts that are facing every other public service?

They are the least busy by far of the emergency services and yet often the best paid. Keep going to the public and use the fear factor to ask them to agree to paying &quot;a little bit more" each time. It's never going to be enough is it?

I suspect there's actually plenty that could still be cut in the FS - and if resources were better matched to the ACTUAL demand, there'd be no need to ask for extra money all the time.

These people need to get real.

Is this comment actually for real?.. Seriously these guys risk their lives and do a job that not many people would be capable of, they are entitled to be well paid!!!,

I think YOU need to get real, I'm certain you would be the first to complain if your house/business/car/f
amily were burned and the fire service arrived late or not at all due to be short staffed!

I find your comment very very insulting to the good brave men of our fire service.
May I ask what you do for your community???

[quote][p][bold]Aquarius[/bold] wrote:
Why do 'fire fighters' always think that they should be immune from the cuts that are facing every other public service?
They are the least busy by far of the emergency services and yet often the best paid. Keep going to the public and use the fear factor to ask them to agree to paying "a little bit more" each time. It's never going to be enough is it?
I suspect there's actually plenty that could still be cut in the FS - and if resources were better matched to the ACTUAL demand, there'd be no need to ask for extra money all the time.
These people need to get real.[/p][/quote]Is this comment actually for real?.. Seriously these guys risk their lives and do a job that not many people would be capable of, they are entitled to be well paid!!!,
I think YOU need to get real, I'm certain you would be the first to complain if your house/business/car/f
amily were burned and the fire service arrived late or not at all due to be short staffed!
I find your comment very very insulting to the good brave men of our fire service.
May I ask what you do for your community???stevesilvers